The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-10-12
Wasn't Wanted There.

She was q little old woman, very
plainly dressed in black bombazint
that had seen much careful wear, and
her bonnet was very old-fashioned
and people stared at her tottering ul
the aisle of the grand church, evident
ly bent on securing one of the best
seats, for great man preached on that
day, and the house was filled with
splendidIy dressed people who heard
Of the fame of the preacher, of his
learning, his intellect and goodness
and they wondered ut the presumption
of the old woman. She must nave
been in her dotage, for she picked out
the pew of the richest and proudest
member Of the church, and took a
seat. The three ladies who were seat
ed there beckoned to the sexton, who
bent over the intruder, and whispered
something, but she was hard of hear
ing, and smiled little withered smile,
as she said gently, "Oh, Pm quite
comfortable here, quite comfortable
here"
"But you are not wanted here" said
the sexton, pompously. "Thcre is not
room. Come with me, my good old
woman, l will see that you have a
seat"
"Not room! !" said the oil woman,
looking at her sunkcn proportions,
and then at the fine ladies. "Why,
Pm not crowded a bit. / rode ten
miles to hear the sermon to-day be-
cause"
But the sexton took her by the arm
and shook her roughly in 4 polite, un-
derhand way, and she took the hint.
Her faded eyes filled with tears, her
chin quivered, but she rose meekly
aid left the pew. Turning quietly to
the ladies who were spreading their
rich dresses over the spot she left va
cant, she gently said, 81 hope, my
dears. therell be room i'm heaven for
us ALL"
Then she followed the pompous sen
ton to the rear Of the church, where
in the last pew she was seated between
a threadbare girl and shabby old
man.
"She must be crazy" said one of the
ladies in the pew she had first occu-
pied. "What can an old ignorant wo-
man like her want to hear DR.. -
preach for. She would not he able to
understand n word said. Those pco-
pie are so persistent. The idea of her
forcing herself into our pew. Isn't
that voluntary lovely? There's Dr..
-- coming out Of the vestry. Isn't
he grand"
"Splendid! What a stately man
\ on know he has promised to dine
with us while he is here"
He was commanding looking man,
and as the organ voluntary stopped,
and he looked over the vast crowd of
worshippcrs gathered in the great
church, he seemed to scan every face.
His hand was on the Bible, when sud-
denly he leaned over the reading desk
and beckOned to the sexton, who OBJ
seQuiously mounted the steps to re-
ceive a mysterious message. And
then the three ladies' in the grand pew
were electrified to see him take his
way the whole length of the church,
to return with the old woman, whom
he placed i'm the front pew of all, its
occupants making willing room for
her. The great preacher looked at her
with smile Of recognition, and then
the service proceeded, and he preach
ed sermon which struck fire from
every heart.
"Who was she ." asked the ladies
who could not make room for her, as
they passed the sexton at the door.
"The preachers MOTHER replied
the functionary in an injured tone.
How few remember that "while man
looketh on the outward appearance,
the Lord lOokcth at the heart"